MECHANICAL DESIGN TECHNOLOGY (CAD)

DELIVERY

Day or Evening

START

Fall or Spring Semester

CAMPUS

Brooklyn Park Campus

OVERVIEW
There’s a reason that Engineering CAD (Computer Aided Design) Technicians are in demand: Nearly every type of fabricated product from electric irons to television sets to bridges requires a design technician to detail the entire project and its parts. That’s because Engineering CAD Technicians are specialists in translating the rough sketches, layouts, and written specifications of an engineer or designer into a drawing showing the complete details and specifications for the finished product. At HTC, you’ll gain the skills to excel as you build a career in the design and development of manufactured products.

Since a mechanical designer is responsible for developing and maintaining product documentation with solid models, assemblies, assembly drawings, detail drawings, and prototype assemblies, mechanical aptitude and attention to detail are two of the best indicators for success in this industry. Blueprint reading should be taken early in your studies to determine your ability to understand two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional objects. Because this industry relies heavilty on Computer Aided Design software to develop products, familiarity with computers and computer software is helpful.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Professionals in this occupation typically work closely with engineers and managers in an office environment. They use computers equiped with special components related to CAD software such as a large monitor, a special video card, and more RAM than a typical home computer. A mechanical drafter also spends time clarifying designs with mechanical engineers, manufacturing professionals, and inspectors.

JOB OUTLOOK

Most of our graduates start working as mechanical drafters. Drafting experience and product knowledge provide opportunties to move into other areas of manufacturing such as design, engineering, and management. Even during times of slow growth, there is sufficient turnover in these positions to provide job opportunities for our graduates. As long as a company is seeking to increase profits through new products or improving existing products, a mechanical drafter is neccessary to record the changes and new designs.